Hundreds of DNA matches as Houston clears rape kit backlog
Source: Associated Press
Hundreds of DNA matches as Houston clears rape kit backlog
By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press | February 23, 2015
HOUSTON (AP) Evidence from more than 6,600 rape kits that went untested for years in Houston have turned up 850 hits in the FBI's nationwide database of DNA profiles, marking a major step in the city's $6 million effort to address the backlog, officials announced Monday.
Charges have been filed against 29 people, six of whom have been convicted, since the city launched an effort in 2013 to test 6,663 rape kits some of which dated back nearly three decades. Testing was completed in the fall, and the results have now been uploaded to a database used by investigators nationwide to compare DNA profiles of possible suspects, Mayor Annise Parker said.
"This milestone is of special importance to rape survivors and their families and friends because it means their cases are receiving the attention they should have years ago," Parker said at a news conference, where she joined local law enforcement officials to announce the results.
Police are continuing to review the matches to see if charges can be filed in other cases. In the cases where prosecutors have won convictions, defendants have received sentences ranging from 2 to 45 years in prison. One case was dismissed after the victim decided not to pursue the case.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Hundreds-of-DNA-matches-as-Houston-clears-rape-6097236.php
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Warpy
(110,900 posts)so there was an excuse back then for not chasing down all of them, the system, such as it was, was completely overwhelmed.
There is no excuse now. All cities need to do this one and when they're done, the states can follow.
Lucky Luciano
(11,242 posts)I mean what the ever living fuck was the raped woman told about the progress made with the rape kit?!
billhicks76
(5,082 posts)They were busy seizing people's assets who had marijuana in their possession. They don't care about women or people in general. It's a racket and they have been given too much power.
Lucky Luciano
(11,242 posts)cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)securing convictions on any of them that are 10+ years or older?
iandhr
(6,852 posts)statue of limitations. 50 states 50 different sets of laws.
iandhr
(6,852 posts)Agree with you 100%
I am sure some states don't have statute of limitations on rape. I am unaware what Texas law is on the subject. Maybe some else can enlighten us.
niyad
(112,424 posts)have only managed to clear about 20 % in that same time.
how many serial rapists have been free to rape again and again because women simply don't count?
F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)That's the heartbreaking truth of it.
whereisjustice
(2,941 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Alkene
(752 posts)Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 01:50 PM - Edit history (2)
especially in a land of undertaxed wealth, unemployed/underemployed biotechnologists and bioinformatic techs.
But that would require a sense of priority in rape criminology.